This 353.5-mile journey from Reading, PA to Erie, PA will take you approximately 5 hours and 44 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $58, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip, as it's designed for one day of travel. You'll primarily navigate local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile and 0% highway share. This makes it a more engaging, albeit potentially slower, drive compared to interstate travel. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, keeping the regional scenery consistent throughout your drive across Pennsylvania.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
174.7 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
204 mi
3h 39m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
Pottsville Pike
14.4 mi
18m
Locust Gap Highway
11.5 mi
13m
Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi
12m
South Market Street
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Continental Boulevard
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204 mi, about 3h 39m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,074 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,411
Quietest
2 AM
~183 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
279 ft·8 sec·Penn Street
2
Turn right onto US 222 BUS
0.5 mi·55 sec·North 5th Street
3
Turn slight left onto PA 61
3.0 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·19 sec·South 4th Street
10
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
13
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi·20 sec·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
15
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi·10 sec·Mauch Chunk Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi·38 sec·South Centre Street
17
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi·4 min·West Market Street
18
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·East Sunbury Street
20
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
21
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
22
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi·43 sec·Locust Gap Highway
23
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi·13 min·Locust Gap Highway
24
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·South Market Street
25
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi·45 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
29
Merge onto I 80
204 mi·3 hr 39 min·Keystone Shortway
30
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
31
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
33
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 44 minute duration and the turn-heavy nature of this drive, an early morning departure from Reading is recommended to maximize daylight. While the route data suggests one stop, consider breaking up the 353.5 miles with brief pauses as needed, especially since there are no long highway stretches to eat up miles quickly. Keep an eye on your fuel level, as local driving can sometimes be less predictable for finding services compared to interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $58 should help you budget for the trip, and paying attention to local signage will be key to staying on track.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174.7 miles from Reading, PA, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 77 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.7 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Reading, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Reading, PA
This is one driving day of about 349.4 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Reading, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 204 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.8 and 348.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
33.8 mi into trip|~43m in|US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Navigation decision point
5
72 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Turn right onto PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
346.4 mi into trip|~6h 27m in
Take the exit toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
5
346.6 mi into trip|~6h 28m in|PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
348.9 mi into trip|~6h 33m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.71 one way
$111.42 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$61.65
$123.31
premium
$4.81
$66.14
$132.28
diesel
$4.80
$65.97
$131.95
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Centre Turnpike
(10.6 mi)$0.74
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.8
1
$36.69
$16.77
Efficient EV
87.4
0
$30.57
$13.98
EV Truck/SUV
139.8
1
$48.92
$22.36
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Reading, PA
Afternoon
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
1:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
NW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Afternoon
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
1:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Patchy Smoke
N 3 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 35m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 36.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a more hands-on driving experience on this route, as it's characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive' with no highway mileage. You'll be navigating Pennsylvania's local roads, relying on routes like North 5th Street, Centre Avenue, and Pottsville Pike for much of your journey. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll likely be making frequent adjustments, making it feel more like a series of connected local explorations rather than a high-speed transit. This type of drive offers a different perspective on the landscape, keeping you more connected to the towns and communities you pass through.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 33.8 miles in near US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 349.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 72 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 346.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Reading is a historic city of about 95,000 (2020 Census) in Pennsylvania, about 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia, 35 miles southwest of Allentown and 55 miles east of Harrisburg. It punches above its weight in culture, and its downtown features some iconic buildings, so consider making it a stopover on your way between any of these and other area cities.
Top landmarks
•Frederick Lauer Monument — monument in City Park, Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 35m. Total distance: 349.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.74 in tolls one way, starting with Centre Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 29 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Erie, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 72 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 346.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Erie, PA before the return drive.
